Transcript Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Intro

Lessoning Loosestrife:
Using Beetles
to Control
Purple Loosestrife
Liz Duff
Education Coordinator - Salt Marsh Science Project
Mass Audubon
&
Beth Suedmeyer
Restoration Planner
Wetlands Restoration Program
MA CZM
Lessoning Loosestrife Outline
Essential Understandings
Wetlands have important functions
that humans protect
Building Blocks
(vocabulary)
Wetland
Wetland Protection
Act, Wetland
Functions Historical
impacts to wetlands
Threats to wetlands
Invasive species are a threat to some
Invasive species
of the wetland functions.
Guiding Questions
What is a Wetland? What is the
Wetland Protection Act? What are
functions of wetlands that the WPA
protects? Why do wetlands need
protection? What threatens wetlands?
What are historical impacts to
wetlands? How do people protect
wetlands?
What threats to ecosystems do
invasive species pose?
Enabling Activities/Materials
on Disk
Frameworks
connections
Inquiry activity: Where does the
wetland begin? Wetland
Earth and Space
Metaphors Wetland Observations
5 (Gr. 3-5) 1
Understanding the Wetlands
(Gr. 6-8)
Protection Act Conservation
Commission Questions
Performance Task Assessment
Assignment. Loosestrife impact
powerpoint, Loosestrife impact
worksheet
Life Science
9,13 (Gr. 3-5),
17 (Gr. 6-8), 6.2
(H.S.)
Restoration
Stewardship
Biocontrol
Galerucella Beetles
Biocontrol of Purple Loosestrife
How can people help wetlands? How
Powerpoint, Loosestrife Life
can we help?
Cycle Powerpoint
Life Science 9
(Gr. 3-5), 17 (Gr.
6-8), 6.2 (H.S.)
Raising and releasing beetles is a
Plant and beetle life
way that students and teachers can
cycles.
contribute to wetland health.
Beetle rearing Checklists and
Instructions, Beetle Rearing
Guide, Beetle Life Cycle, How
Many Beetles? Worksheet,
Raising Beetles Powerpoint
Life Science 9,
10(Gr. 3-5), 13,
17 (Gr. 6-8), 6.2
(H.S.)
Humans are working to protect and
restore wetlands
Monitoring wetlands is a way to
check how successful restoration
efforts have been.
Monitoring protocols
Percent Cover
Plant Parts
Plant identification
Plant and Beetle Life
Cycles
Data
analysis
Mapping invasive species and beetle
damage is a way to assess how
widespread the problem is, and to
Mapping methods.
begin to plan how to best approach
the problem.
Background Materials
Frameworks,
Timelines, Safety,
Vocabulary, Scientific
Articles
How can we help support wetland
health?
Plant observation activity. Percent Inquiry, Life
How can we study whether the beetles cover activity. Monitoring
Science 9 (Gr. 3are having an impact?
preparation. Monitoring
5), 13, 17 (Gr. 6Protocols.
8), 6.2 (H.S.)
How can mapping loosestrife and
beetle damage help to develop a plan
for purple loosestrife control?
Mapping loosestrife and beetle
damage.
How do we prepare for field trips?
What have scientists learned already
about purple loosestrife and biocontrol?
How long does this take? What does
that word mean? Additional resources?
CZM Protocols in detail, Frameworks connections,
Research on Impact of Purple Loosestrife, Safety
Checklist and Chaperone Letter, Suggested
Resources, Vocabulary, Materials Cost List
Earth and Space
1 (Gr. 6-8)
MA Educational Framework Connections
Frameworks
connections
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
5. Recognize and discuss the different
properties of soil, including color, texture (size of
particles), the ability to retain water, and the ability
to support the growth of plants.
1. Recognize, interpret, and be
able to create models of the earth’s
common physical features in
various mapping representations,
including contour maps.
13. Give examples of ways in which organisms
interact and have different functions within an
ecosystem that enable the ecosystem to survive.
Life Science
Living things and their
environment: 13. Give examples of
ways in which organisms interact and
have different functions within an
ecosystem that enable the ecosystem
to survive.
Central Concept: Ecology is
the interaction among
organisms and between
organisms and their
environment.
7. Give examples of how changes in the
environment (drought, cold) have caused some
plants and animals to die or move to new
locations (migration).
Life Science
Changes in Ecosystems Over
Time: 17 Identify ways in which
ecosystems have changed throughout
geologic time in response to physical
conditions, interactions among
organisms, and the actions of
humans. Describe how changes may
be catastrophes such as volccanic
eruptions or ice storms.
6.2 Analyze changes in
population size and
biodiversity (speciation and
extinction) that result from the
following: natural causes,
changes in climate, human
activity, and the introduction of
invasive, non-native species.
Earth and
Space
Life Science
9. Recognize plant behaviors, such as the way
seedlings’ stems grow toward light and their roots
grow downward in response to gravity. Recognize
that many plants and animals can survive harsh
environments because of seasonal behaviors, e.g.,
in winter, some animals hibernate, and other
animals migrate.
Life Science
10. Give examples of how organisms can cause
changes in their environment to ensure survival.
Explain how some of these changes may affect the
ecosystem
High School
Lessoning Loosestrife
A
E
B
F
C
G
D
Pretty Purple Plague
Invasive Species Defined ~
Organisms not native to our region
and its introduction is harmful to
the environment, our health
and/or our economy
The Invasive Species Threat
 In their native environment species
are kept in check by natural
controls, like predators and food
supply. They are part of a balanced
system.
 When a species is introduced into a
new landscape, and it is able to
survive and establish itself, the
consequences for the environment
can be devastating.
Japanese knotweed
Oriental
bittersweet
Perennial
pepperweed
Consequences
 Invasive species globally
are the second greatest
threat to biodiversity

Have contributed directly to the
decline of 42% of the threatened
and endangered species in the
United States.
Examples of invasive
aquatic invertebrates
Club tunicate
 The annual cost to the US
economy is estimated at
$120 billion a year
Source- The Nature Conservancy
Zebra mussels
It’s here…
Add some of most fascinating abilities of pL
Original Pathways of
introduction
 Early 1800s,
introduction via ship
ballast and raw wool
 Horticultural, honey
production, and herbal
uses
Means of distribution
 Wind and water
 Wildlife
 Human movements
(Canals, Highways) and
Disturbance
Source: Thompson, Daniel Q.,
Ronald L. Stuckey, Edith B.
Thompson. 1987. Spread,
Impact, and Control of Purple
Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
in North American Wetlands.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
55 pages.
Ecological Impacts of Purple Loosestrife
Reduction in plant biodiversity
Degradation of wildlife habitat
Alteration of wetland function
Blossey, B., L. C. Skinner, and J. Taylor. 2001. Impact and management of Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in North America.
Biodiversity and Conservation.
A unique solution—biological control!
 Specific to target and selfperpetuating
 Long-term control of purple
loosestrife (but not
eradication)
 Requires lower inputs (but
possibly longer to realize
effects)
Biological control
(biocontrol) defined~
The use of natural enemies to
reduce the damage caused by a
pest population, such as an
invasive plant.
Ultimate goal: Restore wetland
habitat and function; give native
species a competitive chance.
Meet the Beetles
Galerucella species
Is this safe?

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USDA regulates the use of biocontrol organisms.
Leaf-eating beetles, Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla, were
approved for U.S. release in 1992 following a lengthy process that
determined host-specificity (no negative impacts to other plants)
and effectiveness of control.
Research was conducted, primarily at Cornell University, and
included:
 Quarantine
 No-choice tests (in lab)
 Initially tested on small scale field plots in the US,
 Then long term monitoring of beetles was evaluated for
establishment, spread, impact on the target species, and impact on
nontarget species.
Study references for host specificity…
Kaufman L.N.; Landis D.A. (2000) Host Specificity Testing of Galerucella calmariensis L. on Wild and Ornamental Plant Species. Biological Control, Volume 18, Number 2, pp. 157-164(8).
Blossey, B., Schroeder, D., Hight, S.D., and Malecki, R.A. (1994) Host specificity and environmental impact of two leaf beetles (Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla) for biological control
of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Weed Sci., 42: 134-140.
Kok, L.T., McAvoy, T.J., Malecki, R.A., Hight, S.D., Drea, J.J., and Coulson, J.R. (1992) Host specificity tests of Galerucella calmariensis (L.) and G. pusilla(Duft.), potential biological
control agents of purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L. Bio. Control, 2: 282-290.
Malecki, R.A., Blossey, B., Hight, S.D., Schroeder, D., Kok, L.T., and Coulson, J.R. (1993) Biological control of purple loosestrife: a case for using insects as control agents, after rigorous
screening, and for integrating release strategies with research. BioSci., 43: 680-686.
History in MA
 Released at two national wildlife
refuges (Parker River and Great
Meadows) began releasing
Galerucella beetles in1996/98.
 MA Wetland Restoration Program
(WRP) coordinated first release in
2000 at a Walpole site.
 Since then WRP has coordinated
releases at 26 other sites.
 Total beetles released since 2000—
approximately 300,000.
WRP Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Sites
What’s happening in the wetland
The plant grows bigger during the
summer and grows flowers at the end of
the summer.
MAY
Emerge to feed
and mate
JUNE
egg clusters deposited on stem
and leaves
First 2 years of purple
loosestrife growth
AUG
Second
generation
emerges
JULY
Larva
feeding on
leaves
WINTER
as adults
dormant in soil
JULY- AUG
Pupa in soil
Diagram from MSU Purple Loosestrife Project – Upper
Elementary Lessons Student Workbook.
New Mapping
initiative
Examine Purple Loosestrife Stands
and report observations (beetle
presence and damage).
Reporting Observations via Google Maps
You can add your
observations to the map!
Beetles have dispersed as far as 10 miles from release sites.
Monitoring
 Standard methodology used across
the U.S.
 Monitoring plots are 1x1 m
quadrats, marked with wood stakes
or PVC pipe.
 Monitor twice each year for at least
three years.
 Document changes at site (and of
each plot) with photos
Release plot
Photo reference
point
Monitoring methods
Spring Monitoring includes:
 Visual assessment of the abundance of
Galerucella eggs, larvae, and adults,
 Estimation of damage to purple loosestrife plants,
 Estimation of percent cover and count of stems of
loosestrife and cattails.
Fall Monitoring includes:
 Estimation of percent cover and count of stems of
loosestrife and cattails.
 Height of five tallest loosestrife and Cattails stems,
 Measurements of infloresences and flowers.
 Qualitative and quantitative observations of other
insect and plant species.
Why monitor?
Looking at the data over time helps us to see if there are any trends -Are the purple loosestrife plants responding to the introduction of the
beetles?
Hypothesis: Purple loosestrife will be reduced by the introduction of
the Galerucella beetles.
Does the field collected data support this hypothesis?
The data collected allows us to look at this reduction in more than one way.
Are there changes in Purple Loosestrife’s•Stem height?
•Space that it is taking up (percent cover)?
•Seed production?
We also expect to see changes in other plants growing
alongside the purple loosestrife.
HANDS ON
Demonstration of Monitoring
Methods
Results Walpole Site
Three releases
(1st in 2000, total 30,000 beetles)
Photo documentation of quadrats
Quadrat #2, 2002
Quadrat #2, 2004
Monitoring Data for Walpole Site
Summary Average of All Quads by Year
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2000
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
% COVER
#STEMS
% cover/# stems
Releases happened in 2000, 2001, 2002. Five plots monitored. No data collected for 2001.
Beetle Rearing
Release and Damage
Acknowledgements
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Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program USFWS
Coastal Americas Foundation
Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership
EPA 5-star Restoration Program & grant team
Site coordinators and volunteers
Image and slide use
 Donna Ellis – CT Beetle Farmer Program
 MSU Purple Loosestrife Project